The afternoon sunlight filtered through layers of cherry blossom petals, casting dappled light and shadow across the bluestone path.
A gentle breeze carried a faint floral fragrance, swirling pink and white petals like a silent flurry of fine snow dancing beneath the warm spring sun.
When Natsume Chikei stepped into the backyard carrying his bento, quite a few students had already claimed spots under the trees on stone benches or the grass, enjoying their lunch on the first day of school.
His gaze swept around, searching for a quiet corner.
Suddenly, his eyes were completely captured by the center of the backyard—
An enormous cherry blossom tree stood tall and majestic, its branches spreading outward like a canopy.
Its scale far exceeded the other cherry trees scattered around the campus.
It was clearly an ancient tree that had stood for many years.
What was even more astonishing was that this cherry blossom tree was emitting a warm yet intense otherworldly glow that only he could see!
[Confession Cherry Blossom Tree]
[Quality: Blue]
[Effect: Confession success rate -20%.
If the confession succeeds, the probability of growing old together increases by 20%!]
[Description: Under the cherry blossom tree, that was my lost youth…]
[Synthesis Condition: Requires at least three pieces of equipment of the same type!]
Such a huge cherry blossom tree… was also a special piece of equipment?
Natsume Chikei’s pupils shrank.
He held his breath in disbelief.
He couldn’t help but step closer and gently touch the rough, ancient trunk with his hand.
[You have not obtained ownership of this item.
Unable to register the equipment!]
Natsume Chikei wasn’t particularly surprised by this.
This cherry blossom tree had been at the school for so long.
There was no way it was unowned.
Since the tree was on school grounds, that meant obtaining it would require the school’s consent?
But that brought up another problem.
Such a large cherry blossom tree had probably existed at the school for a very long time.
The school wouldn’t just give it to him for no reason.
Did he really have to buy the entire school to obtain it?
Was there any other way…
While Natsume Chikei was deep in thought, a woman’s voice suddenly came from behind him.
“Natsume-kun, what are you doing here?”
Natsume Chikei turned around.
Homeroom teacher Sakai Shion was standing there among the falling petals, carrying an elegant bento bag.
She was still wearing that crisp women’s suit, her long legs wrapped in black stockings, her face carrying its usual meticulous expression.
“I wanted to find a quiet place to eat lunch,” Natsume Chikei answered honestly.
Her gaze swept over the lively backyard.
“Today is the first day of school.
It’s actually a good opportunity to integrate into the group and make new friends.
As your teacher, I would normally recommend that you interact more with your classmates.”
“However, since you’re already here… we can talk about that later.”
“I know a spot with a nice view where I occasionally go to eat.
Would you like to join me?”
Natsume Chikei turned back to look at the enormous cherry blossom tree that couldn’t be moved.
He knew that obtaining this special piece of equipment in the short term was definitely impossible.
As for someone else taking it away—that was completely out of the question.
After all, this cherry blossom tree had been here for so long.
It clearly held special significance for the school.
In that case, there was no need to be anxious.
He could take his time over the next three years of school to figure something out.
As for the place Sakai Shion mentioned, he didn’t see any harm in going.
He hadn’t found anywhere good to eat lunch anyway.
He withdrew his gaze and nodded.
“Mm.”
Sakai Shion led him around a few flower beds to a secluded bench at the edge of the backyard.
From here, the view was open.
The bench faced the massive cherry blossom tree in the center of the backyard, while also offering a clear view of the surrounding school buildings and the students gathered in small groups for lunch.
A cool spring breeze carrying the sweet scent of cherry blossoms brushed past, dispelling the slight stuffiness of the afternoon.
Natsume Chikei sat down and felt the rare sense of peace and openness.
He couldn’t help but sigh softly.
“The view here is really nice.”
“You think so too.” Sakai Shion sat down beside him.
As her gaze turned toward the blooming cherry blossoms, the meticulous expression on her face seemed to soften slightly.
The tight line of her lips relaxed a little.
She didn’t say anything more and quietly opened her bento box.
Natsume Chikei also took out his own bento.
The two of them sat quietly on the bench like that, looking at the scenery and enjoying their lunch.
While eating.
Natsume Chikei thought that since the teacher was here, it was a good opportunity to ask about the cherry blossom tree.
“Ms.
“You’re not asking because you know the rumors about this tree, are you?”
“Rumors?
What rumors?”
Sakai Shion was silent for a moment.
She could tell that Natsume Chikei didn’t know about it, but she still explained.
“This cherry blossom tree was planted when the school was first founded.
It’s been almost a hundred years since then.
Because the tree has existed for so long and is quite beautiful, many students like to confess to the person they like under it.
The rumor is that if the confession succeeds, the couple will grow old together.
But at the end of the day, it’s just a rumor.
Whether anyone has actually grown old with their lover because of it—who really knows.”
Sakai Shion shook her head.
As someone who believed in science, she clearly didn’t put much stock in such rumors.
“I see…” Natsume Chikei replied, but his expression was a bit strange.
Because the effect of the [Confession Cherry Blossom Tree] really did increase the probability of growing old together if the confession succeeded.
Combined with the rumor, didn’t that mean this special piece of equipment was actually influencing reality even without an owner?
This was the first time he had encountered a piece of equipment that could activate its special effect on its own.
It was truly amazing…
“Now this cherry blossom tree is managed by the school, right?” Natsume Chikei asked.
“Of course.” Sakai Shion nodded slightly.
Natsume Chikei fell into thought.
Sakai Shion didn’t say anything more either.
She didn’t think too deeply about it.
She simply treated this conversation as casual small talk after a meal.
After they finished eating.
Sakai Shion knew that as a teacher, it wasn’t appropriate for her to stay in the same place with a male student for too long.
If people noticed, it could easily lead to rumors.
Even though she normally stayed here quietly for a while after finishing lunch, today it clearly wasn’t suitable.
With that in mind.
She packed up her bento.
Her meticulous expression returned to her face.
“I still have some things to take care of.
Remember to watch the time and don’t stay here too long.”
“Mm.”
After hearing his reply, Sakai Shion gave a slight nod and left without looking back.
After watching the teacher leave, Natsume Chikei didn’t hurry to go.
Instead, he took out his phone from his pocket and started typing here, planning to finish writing that novel as soon as possible.